{"database": "openregs", "table": "federal_register", "rows": [["E9-28507", "Notice of Public Meeting and Request for Comment on Blending of Low-Level Radioactive Waste", "Notice", "The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) plans to conduct a public meeting on January 14, 2010, in Rockville, MD, to solicit input on issues associated with blending of low-level radioactive waste (LLRW). Since the closure of the LLRW disposal facility at Barnwell, South Carolina on June 30, 2008 to out-of-compact generators, the issue of blending of LLRW has received increased attention from stakeholders, industry, and Agreement States, especially blending that results in a change in the classification of the waste, as defined by the radionuclide concentrations in 10 CFR part 61.55. Blending, as defined here, refers to mixing of LLRW of different concentrations. It does not involve mixing radioactive waste with non-radioactive waste, (i.e., dilution) and concerns only disposal in a licensed facility, not release of radioactivity to the general environment. Blending is not prohibited or explicitly addressed in NRC regulations. In addition, while NRC staff guidance discourages blending in some circumstances, it also recognizes that some blending--including blending that lowers the classification of a waste--may be appropriate in others. However, the closure of the Barnwell facility to LLRW generators in 36 States means that there is no disposal option for Class B or C LLRW generated in these States; LLRW generators have been storing Class B and C LLRW onsite since the closure of Barnwell. The lack of a disposal pathway for Class B and C LLRW from these generators has increased interest in blending to reduce the radioactivity concentrations of wastes that might otherwise be classified as B or C waste. A disposal pathway exists for Class A waste, which means that Class A waste does not have to be stored at licensees' sites. While some blending of LLRW resulting in reduced waste classification has occurred in the past, the scale of blending being considered since the closure of Barnwell is potentially much larger than current practice. On October 8, 2009, NRC Chairman Gregory B. Jaczko directed the staff to prepare a vote paper for the Commission to consider issues related to blending of LLRW, including the following: <bullet> Issues related to intentional changes in waste classification due to blending, including safety, security, and policy considerations. <bullet> Protection of the public, the intruder, and the environment. <bullet> Mathematical concentration averaging and homogeneous physical mixing. <bullet> Practical considerations in operating a waste treatment facility, disposal facility, or other facilities, including the appropriate point at which waste should be classified. <bullet> Recommendations for revisions, if necessary, to existing regulations, requirements, guidance, or oversight related to blending of LLW. The staff is holding a public meeting to obtain additional information on these and other related issues. Stakeholder views will be presented in the vote paper that the staff prepares for the Commission.", "2009-11-30", 2009, 11, "https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2009/11/30/E9-28507/notice-of-public-meeting-and-request-for-comment-on-blending-of-low-level-radioactive-waste", "https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2009-11-30/pdf/E9-28507.pdf", "Nuclear Regulatory Commission", "383", "The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) plans to conduct a public meeting on January 14, 2010, in Rockville, MD, to solicit input on issues associated with blending of low-level radioactive waste (LLRW). Since the closure of the LLRW disposal...", null]], "columns": ["document_number", "title", "type", "abstract", "publication_date", "pub_year", "pub_month", "html_url", "pdf_url", "agency_names", "agency_ids", "excerpts", "regulation_id_numbers"], "primary_keys": ["document_number"], "primary_key_values": ["E9-28507"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 182.4469598941505, "source": "Federal Register API & Regulations.gov API", "source_url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/developers/api/v1", "license": "Public Domain (U.S. Government data)", "license_url": "https://www.regulations.gov/faq"}